Mail-bag receiving and delivering apparatus.



C. C. GARDNER. MAIL BAG RECEIVING AND DELIVBRING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED P21124, 190e.

921 ,226. Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1H: mams Fsrsns co., wlsrnuovon, a-c.

C. C. GARDNER. MAIL BAG RECEIVING AND DELIVBRING APPARATUS.

` APPLIOLTIUN FILED PEB. 24, 19GB.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Summon Charle C. Gardner.

www

rrNirnn STATES Pnfrrnvr OFFICE.

CHARLES C. GAIw'DNlCR, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF FORTY-FIVE ONE- vHUNDREDTHS TO PETER N. KIMES.

MAIL-BAG RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1 1, 1909.

Appiicatun Ied February 24, 1909. Serial No. 479,828.

To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, Cuantas C. GARDNER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cedar ltapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful ln'lprovcments in Mail- Bag Receiving and Delivering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying dravring.

rihis invention relates to mail bag receiving and delivering apparatus and the object thereof is to provide means in. a manner as hereinafter set forth for receiving a mail bag when thrown from a car and maintain the bag in a locked compartment to prevent unauthorized persons from obtaining the saine.

The invention further provides in combination with the receiver as hereinbefore referred to, a catcher arranged in such relation with the receiver that after the-bag has been caught, it will be delivered to the receiver and automatically discharged into a locked compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a delivering device in a manner as hereinafter set forth for the bag so that the bag can be readilyr grabbed or cau ht by the catcher on the car and delivere therein.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus for receiving and delivering mail bags which shall be comparatively simple in its construction, strong, durable, efficient in its use, readily set up in operative relation `with respect to a rails` ay track, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Nith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of arts hereinafter more specifically descri ed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto ap ended.

n the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mail bag catcher, receiver and deliverer in accordance With this invention and set u Ain operative relation with respect to a rai Way track. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional 'view of the receiver. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the receiver also showing the same in operative relation with respect to the car, the latter being shown diagrammatically, Fig. 3 being a section on line 3-3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrovx. Fig. 41 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the clementsv of the catcher, and, Fig. 6 is a detail in lplan of one of the arms of the deliverer. Yteferring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 denotes the rails of a track and 2, a mail car adapted to travel thereon. The bottom of the car is indicated as at 3.

Arranged at one side of the track is a receiver referred to generally by the reference character 4 and consisting of a receptacle having a back Wall 5, end Walls 6, a front wall 7 and a bottom formed of a stationary and pivoted section 8, 9, resV ectively. The front wall 7 is of less length t ian the receiver but of a height equal to the height of the receiver and in connection with the movable section 9 of the bottom when the latter is tilted and with. the end Wall 6 forms a pocket 10 for the reception of the bag. The section 9 of the bottom of the receiver is connected at one side of its center as at 11 to a rockshaft 12 'ournaled in the rear wall 5 and front Wall 7. The receptacle further comprises a dome-sha ed top 13 and a ledge 14 which is mounte upon the supports l5 at the front of the receiver. The ledge 14 is positioned so that it will be on a level with the door 3 of the car. The stationary section 8 of the bottom of the receiver is concave in cross section and is inclined downwardly from the open end 16 of the receiver. The pivoted section 9 of the bottom of the receiver when in its normal position overla s the inner end of the section 8 as at 17 and t .e said section 9 at each side is provided with a vertical flange 18 and at one end with an upturned ange 19. Depending from the lower' face of the section 9 at a point in proximity to the flange 19 is a catch 21 adapted, when the section 9 is tilted, to assume a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2, to engage With a counterweighted latch arm 22 pivoted upon a support 23. The section 9 of the bottom also extends downwardly at an inclination.

Owing to the fact that the front Wall 7 extends but part Way of the length of the receiver, the latter is thereby formed with an open front for a portion oi its length as indicated at 24, (sec Fig. 3) through which open front the mail bag is thrown so that it can drop upon the inclined bottom. As thc bag moves down thc inclined l'iottom ol the rccciver it passes upon the section 9 ol' the bottom and when it has passed to a point bcyond the rock-shaft 12, the weight of the bag will tilt thc section 9 so that it will assume a vertical position and form in connection with the end wall the rear wall 5, and the front wall 7, the pocket 10 in which the bag is deposited. When the section 9 is tilted to a vertical position, the catch 2] engages with the latch 22 and the section 9 is mailitained in such vertical position. By such an arrangement the mail bag after it has been delivered to the receiver and deposited in the pocket 10 is prevented from injury by inclement weather or the bag cannot be reached by an unauthorized person. To allow of the removal of the ba@ from the pocket 10 after the same has been deposited therein, the rear wall 5 is formed with a door 25 hinged as at 26 and provided with a lock as at 27. vWhen the door 25 is unlocked, it can be lowered so that the proper party can remove the mail bag or pouch from the section 19.

To prevent injury to the sack or bag and also the contents thereof as .the bag slides down the inclined bottoni of the receiver, the inner face of the end wall 6 is provided with a cushion 28. After the bag or pouch has been removed from the pocket 10, the movable section 9 of the bottom is released from the latch 22 and shifted back to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 so that the said section will again be in position to deliver the bag or pouch to the pocket 10.

The receiver has associated therewith a catcher which may be used when darkness or a storm revents the mail clerk from throwing the ag or pouch into the receiver, the catcher grabbing the suspended bag from the car and delivering it into the receiver, the bag or pouch gliding down the inclined bottom of the receiver and being deposited by the movable section 9 into the pocket 1() in a manner as hereinbefore referred to.

The catcher comprises apost 29 which is positioned at one side of the open end of the receiver and to the post 29 is secured outwardly extending arms 30 and 31 which carry a vertically extending rod 32 provided approximately centrally with an eye 33. Pivoted to the rod 32 is a yoke-shaped supporting member 34 having an eye 35 at its outer end. Extending through the eyes 33 and 34 is a catcher arm 36, the outer end of which is formed with a hook 37. The inner end of the arm 36 terminates in a depending crank 38 which is pivotally connected as at 39 to the upper end of a vertically movable rod 4() which travels through the guides 41 carried by the post 29 and has secured to its lower end the weight 42. 'lhc hook 37 of the arm .'-36 extends in a direction to receive thc mail bag and as thc bag is caught by the hook, the momentum carries thc catcher arm 36 forwardly, swinging th(l yoke-shaped member 34 on its pivot. The catcher arm 236 rotates so that thc hook 57 is turned downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 and the bag is then discharged into the receiver and from there dclivcrcd into the pocket. rPhe weight 42 nntintains the catcher arm 3G norinaliy in extended position. When the yoke-shaped member 34 swings around, it is evident that the catcher arm 36 will rotate, such action lifting the weight 42 until the crank 3G extends horizontally. As soon as the sack is discharged, the weight 42 draws the catcher arm hack to its normal position.

The deliverer or crane which is arranged in operative relation with respect to the closed end of the receiver, comprises a post 43 having a pair of suspension arms 44 and 45 pivoted thereto, these arms when not supporting a sack or pouch as shown in Fig. 4, drop down against the faces of the post 43. Each of the arms 44, 45 have connected thereto a supporting member 46 having diverging ends 47 which constitute fingers. Pivoted to each of the members 46 is a retaining arm 48 having its outer end curved as at 49 so as to extend over one of the iingers 4'7. Attached to the inner end of the arm 4S is a sp1-ing 5U, the latter being also attached as at 51 to the member 46. The curvilinear outer end ofthe arm 48 receives the ring of the mail sack and said arm is retained in position by the spring 50; the receiving arm carried by the car catches the sack and easily draws it from the holder as will be evident.

What I claim is:

1. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front and an inclined bottom having a stationary and a tilting section, said receptacle further p'rovided with a pocket, one of the walls of said l pocket formed by said tilting section when moved to a vertical position.

2. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front and an inclined bottom having a stationary and tilting section, said receptacle further provided with a pocket, one of the walls of said pocket formed by said tilting section when moved to a vertical position, said tilting section provided at one end with a flange, and means whereby access can be had to said pocket.

3. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front and an inclined bottom having a stationary and a tilting section, said receptacle further provided with a pocket, one of the walls of said pocket formed by said tilting section when lsu lll() lll) moved to a vertical position, and means for maintaining said tilting section in a vertical position.

4. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front and an inclined bottom having a. stationary and tiltingl section, said receptacle further provided With a pocket, one olE the walls of said pocket formed by said tilting section when moved to a, vertical position, said tilting section provided at one end with a llange, means whereby access can be had to said pocket, and means for maintaining' said tilting section in a vertical position.

5. fr mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open iront, inclined bottoni and an open end, said bottom haring a stationary and a tilting section, said receptacle further provided at one end with a ocket, one ofthe walls of said pocket loro ed liy said tilting section when noved to a vcrtical position, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with respect lo the said open end Vfor discharging a bag in the receptacle.

6. A n.; ail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front, inclined bottoni and an open end, said bottoni having a stationar)T and a tilting section, said receptacle further provided at one end with a ocket, one of the walls of said pocket formed liy said tilting section when noved to a vertical position, said tilting section provided at one end with a ange, and neans whereby access can be had to said pocket, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with respect to the said open end for discharging a bag in the receptacle.

7. A inail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open l'ront, inclined bottoniv and an open end, said bottom having a stationery and a tilting section, said receptacle further provided at one end with a ocket, one of the walls of said pocket formed Ey said tilting section when niovcd to a vertical position, and means l'or maintaining said tilting section in a vertical position, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with res ect to the said open end for discharging a lIiag in the receptacle.

8. fr Inail bag receiver coniprising a receptacle provided with an open l'ront, inclined bottoni and an open end, said bottoni having a stationary and a tilting section, said receptacle further provided at one end with a ioclret, one of the walls of said pocket fore ed by said tilting section when n ovcd to a vertical position, said tilting section provided at one end with a flange, ineans for maintaining said tilting section in a vertical position, and ircans whereby access can be had to said pocket, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with respect to the said open end 'for discharging a bag in the receptacle.

9. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle having an inclined bottoni opening into a pocket, said bottom formed of a tilting and a stationary section, said tilting section when nLovcd to a vertical position constituting one of the walls of said pocket, said receptacle having an open front, the` lower wall of the opening at the l'ront of the rece )tacle being on a level with thc lloor of a mai car. y

lll. i mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open iront, inclined bottoni and an open end, said bottom having a stationair)T and a tilting section, said rmfeptacle lurther provided at one end with a pocket, one ol' the walls oi' said pocket formed by said tilting section when novcd to a vertical position, and nreans for vmaintaining said tilting section in a vertical position, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with respect to the said o )en end for discharging a bag in the receptacle.

l1. i mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle having an inclined bottoni opening' into a pocket, said bottoni formed of a tilting and a stationary section, said tilting section when n oved to a vertical position constitoting one of the walls ol' said pocket, said receptacle having an o en front, the lower wall oi the opening at t ie iront of the receptacle being on a level with the iloor of a inail car, and nleans whereby access can be had to said pocket.

12. A mail bag receiver coniprising a receptacle having a bottoni opening into a pocket, said bottoni for-ned of a tilting and a stationary section, said tilting section when n oved to a vertical position constituting one ol' the walls of said pocket, said receptacle having an open l'ront, the lower wall of the opening at the front of the receptacle being on a level with the licor of a niail car, co nbined with a catcher for delivering a inail bag to said receiver.

13. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle provided with an open front, a bottom and an open end, said bottom having a stationary and a. tilting section, said receptacle further provided at one end with a ocket, one of the walls of said pocket "orn'ied bv said tilting section when moved to a vertical position, and means for maintaining said tilting section in a vertical position, combined with a catcher positioned in operative relation with respect to the said open end for discharging a bag in the receptacle.

14. A mail bag receiver comprising a receptacle having an inclined bottoni opening into a pocket, said bottom formed of a tilting and a stationary section., said tilting section when moved to a vertical position constituting one of the walls of said pocket, said receptacle having an open front, the lower wall of the opening at the front of the receptacle being on a level with the licor of a inail car, and means whereby access can be had to said Iii ti t

oel/ret, Combined with ii. catcher for deliver'- ing a inail beg to Suid receiver.

15. A niiiil beg receiver comprising :L reeeptziele provided with :in open front :ind bottoni having ai stiitionzn'j.' :ind ii tilting section, seid receptacle further provided with ii pocket, one of the wells of sind pocket forined by sind tiltinO' section when moved to n. vertieiil position. rind n. cushion within the i'eceptiiele nt thtt end thereoi provided with the pocket.

16. A inail beg receiver comprising n reeeptnele provided with on open front end :in inclined bottoni having a Stationery :ind :i tilting section, sind receptacle further provided with :i pocket, one of the wells of seid pocket formed. by seid tilting section when inoved to n veitieiil position, seid tilting Seetion provided :it one end with :L ilcnige, ineens wherebliY access cnn be hed to sind pocket, :ind ii enshion within the receptacle :it that end thereof provided with the pocket.

17. A iintil bog receiver comprising;r at receptacle provided with :in open front :ind ai bottoni having e stationery and e. tilting section, said reeeptziele further provided with a pocket, one of the walls of seid pocket forined b v Seid tilting section when nioved t-o n. vertical position, ineens 'for iii-.iinti-iining said tilting` section in ii vertical position, end it cushion within the receptacle :tt tirait end thereolI provided with the poeket.

1S. A inail begr receiver comprising ii reeeptnele provided with :tn open front sind on inclined bottoni having :i stiitionziry :ind tilting section, seid reeeptztele l'nrther provided with o pocket, one of the vrnlls of Seid poel-:et iorined by seid tilting section when moved to e vertical position, siiid tilting seetion provided :tt one end with n. flange. ineens whereby iieeess een be had to sind pocket, ineens i'or iiieintitining sind tilting; section in :i vertical position, :ind e cushion within the receptacle :it that end thereof provided with the pocket.

19. A infill heg reeeiver comprisingr :i reeeptacle provided with nn open front, in-

clined bottoni :nid :ni open end, seid bottoni i heviingr :i stationery :ind :i tiltingl section, siiid reeeptiiele further provided :it one end with :i poeliet. one oi' the wells olE sind poeliet l'ornieil h v sind tiltingy sei-tion when inoved to n. verliesil position, eoniliined with :i eritclier positioned in operative rehitii'in with respect to the seid open end for ilisehzin-riti@` :i ling,r in the receptacle, :rnd o. cushion within the receptatele ait the closed end thereof.

2t). A nniil ling receiver eoniprieing n. reee'ptiiele provided with en open front, inclined bottoni :ind :in open end, .seid bottoni having n. stationery end ai tilting;` seetion, sziid reeeptitele i'iirthei provided et one end with n pocket, one oi the walls of said pocket i'oi'nied bv said tilting section when inoved to it vertienl position, said tilting section provided et one end with :i flange, ineens wherebv eccessi een he hiid to ,sind pocket, cornbined with e. eiiteher positioned in operative relation with respect to the seid open end for discharging; heir in the receptacle, and n enshion within the receptacle :it the closed end thereof.

21. A inail ling receiver comprising a. receptacle provided with itn o )en front, inciined bottoni :nid :in open enr seid bottoni lievingl :i .stiitioinirv sind n tilting Section, seid receptacle further provided nt one end with :i poe-kei., one oi' the wells oi siiid pocket iorined b v seid tilting section when nioved to it verticnl position, ineens 'lor nniiiitztining seid tilting;l section in n. verticnl position, combined with zi. eaitcher positioned in operative relation with respect to the seid open end for divehzireineT :i brig' in the receptacle, und n. cnsliion within the receptacle et the closed end thereof.

22. A ninii img receiver comprising il, receptacle provided with :in open 'front and :i bottoni having :i stationery end n. tiltingl section, seid i'eeeptiicle further provided witl o. poeket, one of the waillsotB seid pocket formed hv seid tilting; seet ion when nioved to :i vertieid position.

23. A inftii litri receiver comprising e. reeeptnele provided with :in open l'ront .find :t bottoni having' :i stattionanwv und tilting seetion, siiid reeeptneie inrther provided with :i pocket, one ot the wells ol' seid pocket forined ,by seid tilting section when nioved to :i vei'tie.il position, sind tiltinor Section provided et one end with n. iifinge, :ind niozins wiiei'eli-iY :ineens een be hzid to :seid pocket.

24. fr inail he; receiver eoinprisinr n receptacle provided with :in open front and n. bottoni hiiviin; :i stritioi'ifirv :ind n. tiltingr rection, sziid i'i'eei'itzieie further provided with at pocket. one o'lA the wells oi' se id pocket iorined by seid tiitinn section when nioved to a vertieiil position, :nid ineens i'or maintaining seid tilting section in ii. vertical position.

25. A iniiil biig' i'eeeiver comprising a receptacle provided with :in open iront7 a. bottoin ind :in open end, seid bottoni having@r n. Stiitioi .fnv :nid :i tiltinglsection, sind receptiiele i'nrther provided et one end with n. pocket, one ot the walls oi' mid pocket `formed hiv seid tiitingj section when inoved to ai. vertienl posit ion, combined 'with n. entcher positioned in. operative relation with respect to the :zuid open end i'or discharging n brig in the receptnrle.

.6. in ini :ippiiretns oi the clziss described, :i eiiine eonwistinp; ol' o. post. n. piiir oi suspension nrnis iliivoted thereto. n supporting ineinber euri-ieri hv eiteh ol' the itiins sind having diverein ends to provide iingers, and spiiiig-controlled retaining :ii-ins each having the outer end curved :ind extending over one of tbe lingers of a suporting member, seid l ing its outer end formed with a hook and its 1c retaining arms pivote to seid supporting inner end formed with e crank connected to members. i seid velticnlly movable erm.

27. In an apparatus of the class described, In testimony whereof I affix my signature a catcher comprising a post, a, vertically exi in the presence of two Witnesses. tending rod carried thereby, a yoke-she ed i CHARLES C. GARDNER. supporting member pivoted to seid ro a i Witnesses; vertically movable Weighted arm, and e l FRANK O. MEKOTA,

catcher arm supported by said member hevl FRANK C. WELCH. 

